Do you have a Siberian Husky or you’re thinking of getting one? One of the first questions you may be asking is, do Huskies shed?
And the answer is yes they do! If you’ve never had a husky, the amount that they shed may be initially shocking. Huskies can shed A LOT of hair in a short space of time. There’s nothing to be alarmed at though, husky shedding is normal and can be managed reasonably well.
If you want to know how often they shed, what causes the shedding, if they ever stop, etc. this article is for you. We’ll cover everything from how much do huskies shed to brushing tips and more.
Like the amount that huskies shed, there’s a lot to cover, so let’s get started.
The double coat of a husky
The double coat of a Husky is made up of an outer layer called guard hairs, which are coarse and standoff from the body to protect against dirt, water, ice, and snow. These guard hairs are often referred to as “the long hair”.
The second layer is a downy soft undercoat that provides warmth.
This undercoat traps air close to the skin for insulation which allows Huskies to be able to survive extremely cold temperatures down to -60°F (-51°C).
The undercoat is what sheds mostly, and when this shedding happens it tends to be in large amounts of hair loss, which is normal, and this is known as the undercoat blowout.
The outer coat can be black, brown, orange, grey, or white, depending on the color of your husky, whereas the undercoat tends to be white in most cases.
This is also why your husky may seem darker after shedding and brushing, you’ve removed most of the “white” undercoat, so the outercoat hair is more prevalent.
When do huskies shed?
Huskies normally shed twice a year, during Spring and during Autumn. You’ll normally find their undercoat starts to blow out around this time and becomes extra noticeable, especially if you brush your husky regularly.
How often do huskies shed
Normally, huskies tend to shed twice a year, but if you live in a warmer climate (like Texas for example) your husky may shed year-round.
Even if they shed year-round, they will generally still have two big blowouts per year in the Spring and in Autumn.
This is something that will happen every year and after a few blowouts, you may be like me and start considering if you can turn this husky hair into pillows or a down jacket… I might get to that next year.
When do huskies start shedding
Husky puppies will start to lose their short fluffy puppy coat between the age of 6-12 months.
Then they will start to grow their adult double coat and the shedding will begin like clockwork twice a year (unless you live in a warm location, in which case it can be a constant occurrence).
How much do huskies shed
When huskies start shedding twice a year, it’s usually in very large amounts. The amount of hair loss can be quite shocking and your dog may look like he has lost half its body weight (they haven’t don’t worry).
This is normal and the amount of shedding can be worrying for first-time husky owners. You’ll also sit there brushing wondering to yourself, will this ever end?
Yes, it will, and by the end of it, you may even be able to build a hair-sibling for your husky.
Do huskies ever stop shedding?
Huskies will continue to shed throughout their entire lifetime.
This is not something they tend to outgrow and is normal for them to do.
If you’re concerned with having to constantly battle husky hairs around your home, there are some things you can do to help you handle an undercoat blowout more efficiently.
How to handle an undercoat blowout?
When the blowout has started, make sure to brush your husky on a daily basis. This will help you stay on top of the hair loss and make the following days brushing quicker and easier.
From day one, show your husky that brushing is a good thing and can be enjoyed. Try to stay calm, relaxed and don’t elevate the situation so that your husky can feel calm and relaxed as well.
Also, try to make it a habit, you can do this by picking a particular spot, and brushing at the same time every day.
I would recommend treats here then as well, but if your husky is like ours, treats aren’t going to be that effective.
To make brushing all the easier, you need the right tools. A “normal” brush isn’t going to get you very far when it comes to brushing a husky and getting the soft undercoat brushed out.
Instead, I recommend a grooming rake to get most of the hair out quickly, and a FURminator de-shedding tool for the remaining hard-to-remove undercoat hairs.
Start with the grooming rake, and then once the amount of hair that comes out with the rake starts to become thin, get the FURminator out to remove the remaining hairs.
How often should you brush your husky?
During the shedding stages, you should make it a daily routine. Yes, every day.
This will make the blowouts all the easier to handle and you’ll be surprised by how much less fur comes out during each brushing compared to if you didn’t brush your husky at all during that time.
For the rest of the year when your husky is not shedding, once a week is good. This will keep your husky’s coat in its best condition while removing loose hairs, dirt, and dust.
Frequently Asked Shedding Questions
Are Huskies Hypoallergenic?
No, huskies are not considered hypoallergenic.
They still have fur which is being shed all the time and they have saliva glands that produce allergen-rich saliva used for lubrication when eating.
Even if your husky doesn’t lick themselves often, they will probably still produce enough allergens to affect someone.
Should I give my husky a haircut?
You should never shave a husky.
The double coat of a husky is specifically designed to keep them warm in cold weather as well as protect them from the sun and regulate their body temperature in warmer climates.
If you shave your husky, they can suffer from heat loss, sunburn and will be more at risk of sunstroke, skin cancer, and parasites.
Is it normal for my husky to lose so much hair?
Huskies lose A LOT of hair when they shed twice per year. Clumps of hair can be pulled out by hand, which may seem very odd if you have never had a husky before, but this is completely normal.
You should see a vet though if you notice your husky losing a lot of hair all year round though as it can be an indication of an underlying problem (although some hair loss year-round in warmer climates can be normal, best to ask your vet during a regular check-up).
If your husky loses clumps of hair where you can see the skin or patches of dried skin come out with hair, you should see a vet immediately.
Is it a good idea to shave my husky in the summer?
As mentioned above, you should never shave a husky. Shaving your husky in the summer can put them at risk of sunburn, sunstroke, and skin cancer.
Siberian Huskies have no skin pigmentation and their outer coat acts as a protective barrier, so you should never shave a husky unless medically necessary.
Do huskies shed their top coat?
Huskies do shed their top coat, but the undercoat is the one that they blow which starts happening twice per year (once in mid-spring and then again in early autumn).
The top coat on the other hand sheds much slower and the hair grows and is replaced in a much more “normal” way.
You’ll notice that when you brush your husky, top coat hairs will also come out, but nowhere near as much as the undercoat.
What is the best brush for husky shedding?
The best brush for husky shedding in my opinion is the FURminator de-shedding tool. It does a great job at getting the undercoat hairs removed quickly and works very well in combination with a grooming rake like this one.
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